Sadat and the Road to Jerusalem: Bold Gestures and Risk Acceptance in the Search for Peace

Summary

Analysis of recently declassified archival documents supports the application of prospect theory to explain Sadat’s bold decision to accelerate the peace process with Israel by visiting Jerusalem in 1977. By directly responding to Israel’s fears and security concerns, Sadat reasoned that he could reassure Israel of Egypt’s benign intentions and remove, as he often said, the “psychological barriers” to resolving the Arab-Israeli conflict. Such an approach might help Israel feel secure enough to allow its leaders to trade land for peace.